Charleston, West Virginia — Snow squalls prompted urgent travel warnings Thursday morning across portions of southeast Ohio and central West Virginia, rapidly reducing visibility and creating dangerous driving conditions.
According to the National Weather Service in Charleston, a Snow Squall Warning is in effect for multiple counties in both states, with expiration times ranging from 8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. EST. Radar indicated intense, narrow bands of heavy snow capable of dropping visibility to less than one-quarter mile within minutes.
Wind gusts of up to 35 miles per hour are producing blowing snow and slick road surfaces. Forecasters warned that conditions can deteriorate quickly, even where roads were previously clear.
The warnings cover Gallia, Jackson, Meigs, and Vinton counties in Ohio, along with Kanawha, Mason, Putnam, Roane, Braxton, Clay, Nicholas, Webster, and Jackson counties in West Virginia.
Major travel corridors affected include:
- Interstate 79 between mile markers 4 and 68
- Interstate 77 between mile markers 108 and 141
- U.S. Route 19 between mile markers 48 and 68
Communities impacted include Jackson, Gallipolis, Point Pleasant, Ripley, Sutton, Clay, Webster Springs, Clendenin, Gassaway, Buffalo, and Winfield, among others.
The National Weather Service advises motorists to delay travel if possible until squalls pass. Those who must drive should reduce speed, increase following distance, and be prepared for near-zero visibility.
Snow squalls are brief but highly dangerous, particularly during the morning commute when traffic volumes are higher.
